Bustle



(No Model.)

J. A. MINER & W. H. MQLAUGHLIN.

BUSTLE.

No. 341,427. Patented May 4, 1886.

N. PETERS. Fhnto-umographer, Wathirugwlh v. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES A. MINER AND \VILLIAM H. MOLAUGHLIN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

BUSTLE.

elPECIFICA'EION forming part of Letters Patent No. 3ll,427, dated May 4-, 1886.

Application filed June 29, 1685. Serial No. 170,172.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, J AMES A. MINER and VVILLIAM H. MOLAUGHLIN, citizens of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bustles, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention is a bustle consisting of a series of horizontal frames, vertical flexible connections, and a folding brace, as fully set forth hereinafter, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in Which Figure 1 is a perspective view of our improved bustle; Fig. 2, a vertical section; Fig. 3, a vertical section showing the bustle collapsed or folded; Fig. 4, a perspective view showing the frames as made from a single piece of wire; Fig. 5, a plan of Fig. i; Fig. 6, a perspective view showing a modification.

The bustle consists of a series of wire frames, A, arranged each substantially horizontal and one below and parallel to the other, each frame consisting, preferably, of a piece of wire bent to form two curved sides of different curvatures united in the form of a crescent, and the whole flexibly united, so that all the frames may be brought compactly together or separated to the extent permitted by the connections, and a brace, B, is connected at the lower end to the inner portion, a, of one of the frames, and at the upper end to the outer portion, 1), of one of the upper frames, so as to fall out to an inclined position and hold the upper frame, as well as those below and connected to it, in a horizontal position, as

shown in Fig. 2, but swinging inwardly when pressure is applied against the frames to permit them to be folded flat, as shown in Fig. 3.

Each frame A may be separate from the other, and the different frames may be flexibly connected by tapes 0 c, which will permit the frames to be folded close together, and will also maintain their relation when in a horizontal position and supported by the brace B, as shown in Fig. 6. I prefer, however, to form all the frames from one continuous piece of wire, bent as shown in Fig. 4, and to connect them by a flexible support consisting of a covering, 0, of fabric which corresponds to the external form of the bustle when extended,

No model.)

and in that position stitched or sewed at different points, as, to different parts of the frame, the covering serving the threefold purpose of connecting the frames so as to maintain their proper relation, of permitting a ready attachment of the waistband or strap D, and protecting the clothing of the wearer from direct contact with the metal of the frame.

It will be seen that although the brace B will swing readily toward the body of the wearer when pressure is brought against the bustle to flatten the same, it will only swing outward to the extent permitted by the flexible connections, and in this position will constitute afirm brace that will maintain theshape of the article so long as no lateral pressure is brought against it.

We have described the frames as being of wire. It will be evident, however, that they may be made of any suitable material.

It will be evident that two or more braces, B, may be used, and that by making the frames ofa crescent shape they will conform to the body of the wearer, as well as constitute a support of suitable outline for the clothing.

Without limiting ourselves to the precise construction and arrangement of parts shown, we claim- 1. The combination, in a bustle, of a series of complete frames A, forming the outside and inside bearing-surfaces of the bustle, arranged horizontally one above the other and connected by vertical flexible connections, and a brace, B, extending from the rear of one frame upward to the front of one of the upper frames, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, in a bustle, of a series of frames formed from a single wire bent to form connected portionsa b, vertical supports flexibly connecting the different parts of the wire, and a brace extending from one of the portions, a, upward to one of the upper portions, 1), substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES A. MINER. WVM. H. MGLAUGHLIN.

Witnesses:

A. G. GOLDSMITH, THOMAS PRITOHARD. 

